The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 23
I - Commencement of the Second Era of Life in Madīnah 23 very prayer. The Holy Prophet sa expresses here that after having gained freedom from our temporary hindrance we are now returning to a state where we shall be able to spend time in the remembrance of God and shall gain the opportunity to praise Him. Verily, the same God who time and time again safeguarded us from the designs of the enemy before and brought us into protection. This emotion was so very blessed, it was so attractive, it was so full of peace! It is unfortunate, however, that various enemies of Islām do not refrain from levelling allegations and continue asserting that the real purpose of the Holy Prophet sa and his companions was offensive warfare and materialism. 1 افتوت ِ ره از اجكتس ات اجك ن ی ب ب � Historians disagree with regards to the date of the Ghazwah of Banū Liḥyān. Ibni Sa‘d has mentioned it to be in Rabī‘ul-Awwal 6 A. H. Ibni Isḥāq and Ṭabarī have narrated that it was in Jamādi’ul-Ūlā 6 A. H. On this occasion, I have taken the stance of Ibni Isḥāq. Allāh knows best. Allegation of Tauriyyah 2 against the Holy Prophet sa In the mention of the Ghazwah of Banū Liḥyān 3 , we have stated that in order to maintain secrecy the Holy Prophet sa initially journeyed north and then at some distance from Madīnah, he re-routed to the south. Similar occurrences have been narrated in conjunction with other battles as well. In order to keep his movements hidden from the enemy, the Holy Prophet sa would initially not disclose the purpose of his journey, and while departing from Madīnah he would leave his actual route and travel in a different direction. However, after some distance he would return to his actual direction and so forth. On the basis of such occurrences, which are referred to as Tauriyyah in the Arabic idiom, various shortsighted people have raised the allegation that, God-Forbid, these actions were but trickery and deceit; which is beyond the stature of a prophet. We need not write an elaborate response to this allegation, for such allegations are not levelled by the sensible class. Rather, they are generally raised by the ignorant and less informed who are not only unaware of the 1 This is a Persian verse written by Ḥāfiẓ Shīrāzī which literally means, "Look at how distant these two paths are. " (Publishers) 2 This term means to “to hide” or “ to conceal ” (Publishers) 3 This name is pronounced Liḥyān as well as Laḥyān